5 1 Foreword 1.1 Introduction International trade is an essential driver for economic prosperity. The global trading system is vulnerable to terrorist exploitation that would severely damage the entire global economy. As government organizations that control and administer the international movement of goods, Customs administrations are in a unique position to provide increased security to the global supply chain and to contribute to socio-economic development through revenue collection and trade facilitation. There is a need for a World Customs Organization (WCO) endorsed strategy to secure the movement of global trade in a way that does not impede but, on the contrary, facilitates the movement of that trade. Securing the international trade supply chain is only one step in the overall process of strengthening and preparing Customs administrations for the 21 st Century. Accordingly, to strengthen and go beyond existing programmes and practices, WCO Members have developed a regime that will enhance the security and facilitation of international trade. This is the WCO Framework of Standards to Secure and Facilitate Global Trade (hereafter referred to as the "WCO Framework" or Framework ). This WCO Framework to secure and facilitate global trade sets forth the principles and the standards and presents them for adoption as a minimal threshold of what must be done by WCO Members. The WCO as the appropriate platform for this initiative is readily apparent. The WCO has the membership and thus the participation of 165 Customs administrations, representing 99 percent of global trade. Customs administrations have important powers that exist nowhere else in government - the authority to inspect cargo and goods shipped into, through and out of a country. Customs also have the authority to refuse entry or exit and the authority to expedite entry. Customs administrations require information about goods being imported, and often require information about goods exported. They can, with appropriate legislation, require that information to be provided in advance and electronically. Given the unique authorities and expertise, Customs can and should play a central role in the security and facilitation of global trade. However, a holistic approach is required to optimize the securing of the international trade supply chain while ensuring continued improvements in trade facilitation. Customs should therefore be encouraged to develop co-operative arrangements with other government agencies. It is an unacceptable and an unnecessary burden to inspect every shipment. In fact, doing so would bring global trade to a halt. Consequently, modernized Customs administrations use automated systems to risk manage for a variety of issues. In this environment, Customs administrations should not burden the international trade community with different sets of requirements to secure and facilitate commerce, and there should be recognition of other international standards. There should be one set of international Customs standards developed by the WCO that do not duplicate or contradict other intergovernmental requirements. June

6 The WCO Framework also considers the critical elements of capacity building and requisite legislative authority. While certain aspects of the Framework can be implemented without capacity building, it is recognized that many administrations will need assistance to implement the standards. The WCO Framework contemplates appropriate assistance with capacity building for those Customs administrations that adopt the Framework. 1.2 Objectives and principles of the Framework The Framework aims to : Establish standards that provide supply chain security and facilitation at a global level to promote certainty and predictability. Enable integrated supply chain management for all modes of transport. Enhance the role, functions and capabilities of Customs to meet the challenges and opportunities of the 21 st Century. Strengthen co-operation between Customs administrations to improve their capability to detect high-risk consignments. Strengthen Customs/Business co-operation. Promote the seamless movement of goods through secure international trade supply chains. 1.3 Four Core Elements of the WCO Framework The WCO Framework consists of four core elements. First, the Framework harmonizes the advance electronic cargo information requirements on inbound, outbound and transit shipments. Second, each country that joins the Framework commits to employing a consistent risk management approach to address security threats. Third, the Framework requires that at the reasonable request of the receiving nation, based upon a comparable risk targeting methodology, the sending nation's Customs administration will perform an outbound inspection of high-risk containers and cargo, preferably using nonintrusive detection equipment such as large-scale X-ray machines and radiation detectors. Fourth, the Framework defines benefits that Customs will provide to businesses that meet minimal supply chain security standards and best practices. 4. June 2005

7 1.4 Two Pillars of the Framework The WCO Framework, based on the previously described four core elements, rests on the twin pillars of Customs-to-Customs network arrangements and Customs-to-Business partnerships. The two-pillar strategy has many advantages. The pillars involve a set of standards that are consolidated to guarantee ease of understanding and rapid international implementation. Moreover, the Framework draws directly from existing WCO security and facilitation measures and programmes developed by Member administrations. 1.5 Benefits This Framework provides a new and consolidated platform which will enhance world trade, ensure better security against terrorism, and increase the contribution of Customs and trade partners to the economic and social well-being of nations. It will improve the ability of Customs to detect and deal with high-risk consignments and increase efficiencies in the administration of goods, thereby expediting the clearance and release of goods. 1.6 Capacity Building It is recognized that effective capacity building is an important element to ensure widespread adoption and implementation of the Framework. However, it is also recognized that parts of the Framework can be implemented immediately. To this end, strategies are required to enhance the capacity building provided to Members to enable implementation of the Framework. For capacity building to be successful, a foundation of political will and integrity must already exist. Thus, countries that demonstrate a commitment to implement the Framework and the necessary political will should be assisted by the WCO and a consortium of countries and other co-operating partners. June

8 1.7 Implementation In order for the Framework to be implemented, not only will capacity building be necessary, but also an understanding that a phased approach will be required. It is unreasonable to expect that every administration will be able to implement the Framework immediately. While the Framework is considered a minimum set of standards, it will be implemented at various stages in accordance with each administration s capacity and the necessary legislative authority. The WCO Secretariat, in conjunction with the High Level Strategic Group, will develop an Implementation Plan for the Framework Standards. This Framework is structured as follows : A description of the benefits of adoption and implementation; The pillars dealing with Customs-to-Customs network arrangements and Customs-to-Business partnerships; The annexes containing the detailed implementation specifications. This Framework will be further developed in due course. * * * 6. June 2005

9 2 Benefits Adoption of the Framework of Standards will bring benefits for nations/governments, Customs administrations and the business community. 2.1 Nations/Governments One of the main objectives of the Framework is to secure and facilitate global trade. This will enable international trade to contribute to economic growth and development. This will help to secure trade against the threat of global terrorism and, at the same time, the Framework will enable Customs administrations to facilitate the movement of legitimate trade and improve and modernize Customs operations. This will, in turn, improve revenue collection and also the proper application of national laws and regulations. The Framework therefore supports economic and social protection, and will enable foreign direct investment. The Framework also encourages the establishment of co-operative arrangements between Customs and other government agencies. There should be recognition of other already existing international standards (see 1.1.). This will assist governments to ensure integrated border management and control. By putting the necessary measures in place, the Framework also empowers governments to expand the mandate and responsibilities of Customs administrations in this area. 2.2 Customs One of the main thrusts of the Framework is to establish Customs-to-Customs network arrangements to promote the seamless movement of goods through secure international trade supply chains. These network arrangements will result, inter alia, in the exchange of timely and accurate information that will place Customs administrations in the position of managing risk on a more effective basis. Not only will this improve the ability of Customs to detect high-risk consignments, it will also enable Customs administrations to improve their controls along the international trade supply chain and make for better and more efficient allocation of Customs resources. The Customs-to-Customs network arrangements will strengthen co-operation between Customs administrations and enable administrations to carry out controls earlier in the supply chain, e.g. where the administration of an importing country requests the administration of the exporting country to undertake an examination on its behalf. The Framework also provides for the mutual recognition of controls under certain circumstances. The application of the Framework will enable Customs administrations to adopt a broader and more comprehensive view of the global supply chain and create the opportunity to eliminate duplication and multiple reporting requirements. June

10 As stated above, the Framework will enable Customs administrations to cope with the challenges of the new international trading environment by putting the building blocks in place to undertake Customs reform and modernization. The Framework has also been structured in a flexible manner to enable Customs administrations to move at different speeds. This will enable Customs administrations to implement the Framework in line with their own unique levels of development, conditions and requirements. 2.3 Business The Framework creates, amongst other things, the conditions for securing international trade, but also facilitates and promotes international trade. This encourages and makes it easier for buyers and sellers to move goods between countries. The Framework takes account of, and is based on, modern international production and distribution models. Authorized Economic Operators (AEOs) 1 will reap benefits, such as faster processing of goods by Customs, e.g. through reduced examination rates. This, in turn, translates into savings in time and costs. One of the main tenets of the Framework is to create one set of international standards and this establishes uniformity and predictability. It also reduces multiple and complex reporting requirements. These processes will ensure that AEOs see a benefit to their investment in good security systems and practices, including reduced risk-targeting assessments and inspections, and expedited processing of their goods. * * * 1 Authorized Economic Operator is a party involved in the international movement of goods in whatever function that has been approved by or on behalf of a national Customs administration as complying with WCO or equivalent supply chain security standards. Authorized Economic Operators include inter alia manufacturers, importers, exporters, brokers, carriers, consolidators, intermediaries, ports, airports, terminal operators, integrated operators, warehouses, distributors. 8. June 2005

11 3 WCO Standards to Secure and Facilitate Global Trade 3.1 The Customs-to-Customs Pillar Customs administrations must work co-operatively with common and accepted standards to maximize the security and facilitation of the international trade supply chain as cargo and container shipments move along the nodes of the global trading system. The Customs-to-Customs Pillar achieves this objective. It provides an effective mechanism for securing the international trade supply chain against the effects of terrorism and other forms of transnational crime. Traditionally, Customs administrations inspect cargo once it has arrived at their domestic ports. Today, there must be an ability to inspect and screen a container or cargo before it arrives. In view of their unique authority and expertise, Customs administrations contribute to both securing and facilitating global trade. The central tenet of this pillar is the use of advance electronic information to identify high-risk containers or cargo. Using automated targeting tools, Customs administrations identify shipments that are high-risk as early as possible in the supply chain, at or before the port of departure. Provision should be made for the automated exchange of information. Systems should therefore be based on harmonized messages and be interoperable. To be effective and to ensure that the process does not slow down the movement of trade, Customs administrations should use modern technology to inspect high-risk shipments. This technology includes, but is not limited to, large-scale X-ray and gamma-ray machines and radiation detection devices. Maintaining cargo and container integrity by facilitating the use of modern technology is also a vital component of this pillar. Drawing from, inter alia, the Revised Kyoto Convention (RKC), the Integrated Supply Chain Management (ISCM) Guidelines, and national programmes 2, Customs administrations joining the WCO Framework will standardize Pillar In many cases the Framework Standards, and in particular the technical specifications, are taken directly from these sources. 3 The technical specifications for the Pillar 1 Framework Standards are presented in Annex 1. June

12 3.2 Pillar 1 Standards Standard 1 Integrated Supply Chain Management The Customs administration should follow integrated Customs control procedures as outlined in the WCO Customs Guidelines on Integrated Supply Chain Management (ISCM Guidelines). Standard 2 Cargo Inspection Authority The Customs administration should have the authority to inspect cargo originating, exiting, transiting (including remaining on board), or being transhipped through a country. Standard 3 Modern Technology in Inspection Equipment Non-intrusive inspection (NII) equipment and radiation detection equipment should be available and used for conducting inspections, where available and in accordance with risk assessment. This equipment is necessary to inspect high-risk containers or cargo quickly, without disrupting the flow of legitimate trade. Standard 4 Risk-Management Systems The Customs administration should establish a risk-management system to identify potentially high-risk shipments and automate that system. The system should include a mechanism for validating threat assessments and targeting decisions and identifying best practices. Standard 5 High-risk Cargo or Container High-risk cargo and container shipments are those for which there is inadequate information to deem shipments as low-risk, that tactical intelligence indicates as highrisk, or that a risk-scoring assessment methodology based on security-related data elements identifies the shipment as high-risk. Standard 6 Advance Electronic Information The Customs administration should require advance electronic information on cargo and container shipments in time for adequate risk assessment to take place. Standard 7 Targeting and Communication Customs administrations should provide for joint targeting and screening, the use of standardized sets of targeting criteria, and compatible communication and/or information exchange mechanisms; these elements will assist in the future development of a system of mutual recognition of controls. 10. June 2005

13 Standard 8 Performance Measures The Customs administration should maintain statistical reports that contain performance measures including, but not limited to, the number of shipments reviewed, the subset of high-risk shipments, examinations of high-risk shipments conducted, examinations of high-risk shipments by NII technology, examinations of high-risk shipments by NII and physical means, examinations of high-risk shipments by physical means only, Customs clearance times and positive and negative results. Those reports should be consolidated by the WCO. Standard 9 Security Assessments The Customs administration should work with other competent authorities to conduct security assessments involving the movement of goods in the international supply chain and to commit to resolving identified gaps expeditiously. Standard 10 Employee Integrity The Customs administration and other competent authorities should be encouraged to require programmes to prevent lapses in employee integrity and to identify and combat breaches in integrity. Standard 11 Outbound Security Inspections The Customs administration should conduct outbound security inspection of high-risk containers and cargo at the reasonable request of the importing country. 3.3 The Customs-to-Business Pillar Each Customs administration will establish a partnership with the private sector in order to involve it in ensuring the safety and security of the international trade supply chain. The main focus of this pillar is the creation of an international system for identifying private businesses that offer a high degree of security guarantees in respect of their role in the supply chain. These business partners should receive tangible benefits in such partnerships in the form of expedited processing and other measures. The following statement from the "High Level Guidelines for Co-operative Arrangements between WCO Members and Private Industry to Increase Supply Chain Security and Facilitate the Flow of International Trade" sums up the critical relationship between Customs and Business in adding another layer to the protection of international trade : "To the extent that Customs can rely on its partners in the trade community to evaluate and address threats to their own supply chain, the risk confronting Customs is reduced. Therefore, companies that demonstrate a verifiable willingness to enhance supply chain security will benefit. Minimizing risk in this way helps Customs in performing their security functions, and in facilitating legitimate trade." June

14 Such programmes push the security of cargo and containers further back into the supply chain by involving the private sector and by requiring increased security at the point of origin, e.g. the point of stuffing a container at a foreign manufacturer's loading docks, and as the container is moved from point to point through the supply chain. This Framework sets forth the criteria by which businesses in the supply chain can obtain authorized status as a security partner. Such criteria address issues such as threat assessment, a security plan adapted to the assessed threats, a communication plan, procedural measures to prevent irregular or undocumented goods entering the international supply chain, physical security of buildings and premises used as loading or warehousing sites, security of containers and cargo, means of transport, personnel vetting, and protection of information systems. The priorities of validating or authorizing participants can be determined by a number of factors, including import volume, security-related anomalies, the strategic threat posed by certain geographic regions, or other risk-related information. Deciding which factors to emphasize will inevitably change based on evolving circumstances. General agreement on the minimum benefits that Business partners can reap from the authorized operator status is also crucial. Benefits include quicker movement of low-risk cargo through Customs, improved security levels, optimized supply chain cost through security efficiencies, enhanced reputation for the organization, increased business opportunities, improved understanding of Customs requirements, and better communication between the AEO and the Customs administration. Many businesses that function along the nodes of the international supply chain already must meet existing international security requirements and/or have internal security programmes in place that address concerns of Customs administrations. The systems within the Customs-to-Business pillar of the Framework must be based on the quality accreditation of Customs routines that use information technology to facilitate the procedures commonly associated with cross-border trade and that offer special benefits to those importers, exporters, brokers, forwarders, carriers and other service providers that qualify. Drawing from the vast number of innovative programmes 4, Customs administrations and international trade businesses joining the WCO Framework will standardize Pillar These programmes include, inter alia, the RKC, Sweden's StairSec Programme, Canada's Partners in Protection (PIP), Australia's Frontline and Accredited Client Programme, the U.S. C-TPAT, New Zealand's SEP and FrontLine Programme, the WCO's Business Partnership Group, and the WCO's ISCM Guidelines. The technical specifications for the Pillar 2 Framework Standards are presented in Annex June 2005

15 3.4 Pillar 2 Standards Standard 1 Partnership Authorized Economic Operators involved in the international trade supply chain will engage in a self-assessment process measured against pre-determined security standards and best practices to ensure that their internal policies and procedures provide adequate safeguards against the compromise of their shipments and containers until they are released from Customs control at destination. Standard 2 Security Authorized Economic Operators will incorporate pre-determined security best practices into their existing business practices. Standard 3 Authorization The Customs administration, together with representatives from the trade community, will design validation processes or quality accreditation procedures that offer incentives to businesses through their status as Authorized Economic Operators. Standard 4 Technology All parties will maintain cargo and container integrity by facilitating the use of modern technology. Standard 5 Communication The Customs administration will regularly update Customs-Business partnership programmes to promote minimum security standards and supply chain security best practices. Standard 6 Facilitation The Customs administration will work co-operatively with Authorized Economic Operators to maximize security and facilitation of the international trade supply chain originating in or moving through its Customs territory. x x x June

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17 4 ANNEX 1 ANNEX 1 - WCO FRAMEWORK Customs-to-Customs Network Arrangements Technical Specifications to Pillar Standard 1 Integrated Supply Chain Management The Customs administration should follow integrated Customs control procedures as outlined in the World Customs Organization's (WCO) Customs Guidelines on Integrated Supply Chain Management (ISCM Guidelines) Scope The implementation of the integrated Customs control procedures requires appropriate legal authority that will allow Customs administrations to request the advance electronic submission to Customs of data from the exporter (see 1.3.1) and by the carrier (see 1.3.2) for security risk-assessment purposes. In addition, the integrated Customs control procedures involve cross-border co-operation between Customs administrations on risk assessment and Customs controls, to enhance the overall security and the release process, that require a legal basis. Both of these requirements are supported by WCO-developed instruments: Guidelines for the Development of National Laws for the Collection and Transmission of Customs Information; the Model Bilateral Agreement; and the International Convention on Mutual Administrative Assistance in Customs Matters (Johannesburg Convention). As part of this co-operation, Customs administrations should agree on mutual recognition of control/inspection results and authorized economic operator programmes General control measures Customs control The Revised Kyoto Convention (RKC) 7 provides in the General Annex (Standard 6.1) that all goods, including means of transport, which enter or leave the Customs territory, shall be subject to Customs control. For the purpose of Standard 1, the integrity of the consignment has to be ensured from the time the goods are loaded into the container, or if not containerized, onto the means of transport until they have been released from Customs control at destination. 6 The technical specifications are taken directly from the ISCM Guidelines with editorial modifications as well as additions. 7 Not yet entered into force. As of April 2005, 38 of the required 40 Contracting Parties have accepted the amendments to the 1973 Kyoto Convention. June 2005 I/15.

18 Risk assessment In the integrated Customs control chain, Customs control and risk assessment for security purposes is an ongoing and shared process commencing at the time when goods are being prepared for export by the exporter and, through ongoing verification of consignment integrity, avoiding unnecessary duplication of controls. To enable such mutual recognition of controls, Customs should agree on consistent control and risk management standards, the sharing of intelligence and risk profiles as well as the exchange of Customs data, taking into account the work which has been carried out within the context of the WCO Global Information and Intelligence Strategy. Such agreements should foresee the possibility of joint monitoring or quality control procedures to oversee the adherence to the standards Controls at departure The Customs office of departure must take all necessary action to enable the identification of the consignment and the detection of any unauthorized interference along the supply chain. In respect of maritime containerized consignments, any such screening, risk assessment and action should be taken prior to loading the container onto the ship. The ISPS Code (b ) outlines in broad terms the measures which should be taken by the port facility. In addition, the Customs administrations along the supply chain should agree to use an electronic messaging system to exchange Customs data, control results and arrival notifications, in particular for high-risk consignments. If necessary, Customs administrations should modify their enabling statutory authority, so that they can fully screen high-risk cargo Sealing In the interest of supply chain security and the integrated Customs control chain, in particular to ensure a fully secure movement from stuffing of the container to release from Customs control at destination, Customs should apply a seal integrity programme as detailed in the revised Guidelines to Chapter 6 of the General Annex to the Revised Kyoto Convention (see Appendix to Annex 1 of the Framework). Such seal integrity programmes, based on the use of a high-security mechanical seal as prescribed in ISO/PAS at the point of stuffing, include procedures for recording the affixing, changing and verification of seal integrity at key points, such as modal change. Additionally, Customs should facilitate the voluntary use of technologies to assist in ensuring the integrity of the container along the supply chain Unique Consignment Reference (UCR) Customs administrations should apply the WCO Recommendation on the UCR and its accompanying Guidelines. I/16. June 2005

19 1.3. Submission of data Export Goods declaration The exporter or his or her agent has to submit an advance electronic export Goods declaration to the Customs at export prior to the goods being loaded onto the means of transport or into the container being used for their exportation. For security purposes the Customs should not require the advance export Goods declaration to contain more than the details listed below. The exporters have to confirm to the carrier in writing, preferably electronically, that they have submitted an advance export Goods declaration to Customs. Where the export Goods declaration was an incomplete or simplified declaration, it may have to be followed up by a supplementary declaration for other purposes such as the collection of trade statistics at a later stage as stipulated by national law. No. 1 WCO Name ID 042 Exporter, coded or 041 Exporter, if no code Consignor, coded, if different from exporter 071 Consignor, if no code 050 Carrier identification 049 Carrier name, if no ID Description To identify the name and address of party who makes, or on whose behalf the export declaration is made, and who is the owner of the goods or has similar right of disposal over them at the time when the declaration is accepted. Name [and address] of the party who makes - or on whose behalf - the export declaration - is made - and who is the owner of the goods or has similar right of disposal over them at the time when the declaration is accepted. To identify the party consigning goods as stipulated in the transport contract by the party ordering transport. Name [and address] of the party consigning goods as stipulated in the transport contract by the party ordering transport. To identify a party providing the transport of goods between named points. Name [and address] of party providing the transport of goods between named points. June 2005 I/17.

20 No. 4 or WCO Name ID 040 Importer, coded 039 Importer, if no code Consignee, coded, if different from importer 051 Consignee, if no code Notify party, coded 057 Notify party, if no code Delivery destination, if different from importer s or consignee s address Country(ies) of routing, coded, to the extent known Agent, coded, if applicable 060 Agent, if no code Tariff code number (Customs) 137 Description of goods, if no code UNDG Number (Dangerous Goods Code), if applicable Description Identifier of party who makes - or on whose behalf a Customs clearing agent or other authorized person makes - an import declaration. This may include a person who has possession of the goods or to whom the goods are consigned. Name [and address] of party who makes - or on whose behalf a Customs clearing agent or other authorized person makes - an import declaration. This may include a person who has possession of the goods or to whom the goods are consigned. Identifier of party to which goods are consigned. Name [and address] of party to which goods are consigned. Identification of a party to be notified. Name [and address] of party to be notified. The address to which goods are to be delivered. Address, region and/or country as required by national legislation or according to national requirements. Identification of a country through which goods or passengers are routed between the country of original departure and final destination. Identification of a party authorized to act on behalf of another party. Name [and address] of a party authorized to act on behalf of another party. Code specifying a type of goods for Customs, transport, statistical or other regulatory purposes (generic term). Plain language description of the nature of a goods item sufficient to identify it for Customs, statistical or transport purposes. United Nations Dangerous Goods Identifier (UNDG) is the unique serial number assigned within the United Nations to substances and articles contained in a list of the dangerous goods most commonly carried. I/18. June 2005

21 No. WCO ID Name Type of packages identification 144 Number of packages Total gross 136 weight (incl. Measure unit qualifier) Equipment identification number, if containerized and available 152 Equipment size and type identification Seal number, if applicable and available Total invoice amount (incl. currency, coded) Unique consignment reference number Description Code specifying the type of package of an item. Number of individual items packaged in such a way that they cannot be divided without first undoing the packing. Weight (mass) of goods including packaging but excluding the carrier's equipment for a declaration. Marks (letters and/or numbers) which identify equipment, e.g. container or unit load device. Code specifying the characteristics, i.e. size and type of a piece of transport equipment. The identification number of a seal affixed to a piece of transport equipment. Total of all invoice amounts declared in a single declaration. Unique number assigned to goods, both for import and export Cargo declaration The carrier or his/her agent has to submit an advance electronic cargo declaration to the Customs at export and/or at import. For maritime containerized shipments, the advance electronic cargo declaration should be lodged prior to the goods/container being loaded onto the vessel. For all other modes and shipments, it should be lodged prior to arrival of the means of transport at the Customs office at export and/or import. For security purposes, Customs should not require more than the details listed below. The advance cargo declaration may have to be followed by a supplementary cargo declaration as stipulated by national law. June 2005 I/19.

22 No. WCO Name ID Place of loading, coded 069 Place of loading, if no code Carrier identification 049 Carrier name, if no ID Equipment identification number, if containerized 152 Equipment size and type identification, if containerized Seal number, if applicable Identification of means of transport crossing the border of the Customs territory 175 Nationality of means of transport crossing the border of Customs territory, coded Conveyance reference number Transport charges method of payment, coded Customs office of exit, coded First port of arrival, coded Country(ies) of routing, coded, to the extent known pre-loading Description To identify a seaport, airport, freight terminal, rail station or other place at which goods are loaded onto the means of transport being used for their carriage. Name of a seaport, airport, freight terminal, rail station or other place at which goods are loaded onto the means of transport being used for their carriage To identify a party providing the transport of goods between named points. Name [and address] of party providing the transport of goods between named points. Marks (letters and/or numbers) which identify equipment, e.g. container or unit load device. Code specifying the characteristics, i.e. size and type of a piece of transport equipment. The identification number of a seal affixed to a piece of transport equipment. Name to identify the means of transport used in crossing the border. Nationality of the active means of transport used in crossing the border, coded. To identify a journey of a means of transport, e.g. voyage number, flight number, trip number. Code specifying the payment method for transport charges. To identify the Customs office at which the goods leave or are intended to leave the Customs territory of despatch. To identify the first arrival location. This would be a port for sea, airport for air and border post for land crossing. Identification of a country through which goods or passengers are routed between the country of original departure and final destination. I/20. June 2005

23 No. WCO Name ID Date and time of arrival at first port of arrival in Customs territory, coded Brief cargo description Unique consignment reference number Description Date and time / scheduled date and time of arrival of means of transport at (for air) first airport, (land) arrival at first border post and (sea) arrival at first port, coded. Plain language description of the cargo of a means of transport, in general terms only. Unique number assigned to goods, both for import and export Import Goods declaration The importer or his/her agent has to submit an advance electronic import Goods declaration to the Customs at import prior to arrival of the means of transport at the first Customs office. For security purposes, Customs should not require more than the details listed in Where the import Goods declaration was an incomplete or simplified declaration, it may have to be followed up by a supplementary declaration for other purposes such as duty calculation or the collection of trade statistics at a later stage as stipulated by national law. The Authorized Supply Chain (see 1.4.2) provides the possibility to integrate the export and import information flows into one single declaration for export and import purposes, which is being shared between the Customs administrations concerned Exchange of information for high-risk consignments As part of the integrated Customs control chain, Customs administrations along the supply chain must consider Customs-to-Customs data exchange, in particular for high-risk consignments, to support risk assessment and facilitate release. Such an electronic messaging system could include the exchange of notifications about the export transaction, including the control results, as well as a corresponding arrival notification. National legislation must contain provisions to allow Customs to transmit information they collect for their purposes to other Customs administrations. If not, such provisions must be developed and enabled. The Guidelines for the Development of National Laws for the Collection and Transmission of Customs Information may be used as a basis to develop these provisions. In addition, existing WCO tools such as the Johannesburg Convention and the Model Bilateral Agreement may serve as a basis to exchange information on high-risk goods. June 2005 I/21.

24 No load, No unload notification Customs should establish a system whereby notifications will be issued only for those consignments which cannot be loaded or unloaded. Such notifications should be issued within a specified time following the submission of data required for risk assessment Time limit The exact time at which the Goods and Cargo declarations have to be lodged with the Customs administration at either export or import should be defined by national law after careful analysis of the geographical situation and the business processes applicable for the different modes of transport, and after consultation with the business sector and other Customs administrations concerned. Customs should provide equal access to simplified arrangements to Authorized Economic Operators regardless of the mode of transport. However, in order to ensure a minimum level of consistency and without prejudice to specific situations, Customs should not require the advance declarations to be submitted more than : Maritime Air Rail - Containerized cargo : 24 hours before loading at port of departure. - Bulk/Break bulk : 24 hours before arrival at first port in the country of destination. - Short haul : At time of Wheels Up of aircraft. - Long haul : 4 hours prior to arrival at the first port in the country of destination. Road - 2 hours prior to arrival at the first port in country of destination. - 1 hour prior to arrival at the first port in country of destination. I/22. June 2005

25 WCO Data Model Customs administrations should ensure that their respective IT systems are interoperable and are based on open standards. To this end, Customs should use the WCO Customs Data Model, which defines a maximum set of data for the accomplishment of export and import formalities. The Data Model also defines the electronic message formats for relevant Cargo and Goods declarations. The WCO Data Model includes all the data elements listed in paragraphs 1.3.1, and above that may be required by way of advance information for security purposes Single Window Governments should develop co-operative arrangements between Customs and other Government agencies involved in international trade in order to facilitate the seamless transfer of international trade data (Single Window concept) and to exchange risk intelligence at both national and international levels. This would allow the trader to electronically submit the required information once to a single designated authority, preferably Customs. In this context, Customs should seek close integration with commercial processes and information flows in the global supply chain, for example by making use of commercial documentation such as the invoice and the purchase order as the export and import declarations Authorized Supply Chain Authorized Economic Operators Authorized Economic Operators who meet criteria specified by the Customs (see Annex 2) should be entitled to participate in simplified and rapid release procedures on the provision of minimum information. The criteria include having an appropriate record of compliance with Customs requirements, a demonstrated commitment to supply chain security by being a participant in a Customs-Business partnership programme, and a satisfactory system for managing their commercial records. Customs administrations should agree on mutual recognition of Authorized Economic Operator status Authorized Supply Chain The Authorized Supply Chain is a concept under which all participants in an international trade transaction are approved by Customs as observing specified standards in the secure handling of goods and relevant information. Consignments passing from origin to destination entirely within such a chain would benefit from an integrated cross-border simplified procedure, where only one simplified declaration with minimum information would be required for both export and import purposes. June 2005 I/23.

26 2. Standard 2 Cargo Inspection Authority The Customs administration should have the authority to inspect cargo originating, exiting, transiting (including remaining on board), or being transhipped through a country. 3. Standard 3 Modern Technology in Inspection Equipment Non-intrusive inspection (NII) equipment and radiation detection equipment should be available and used for conducting inspections, where available and in accordance with risk assessment. This equipment is necessary to inspect high-risk containers or cargo quickly, without disrupting the flow of legitimate trade. Modern technology To assist its Members, the WCO maintains a Data Bank on Advanced Technology and has produced detailed Guidelines on the purchase and operation of container scanning equipment in a Customs Compendium. 4. Standard 4 Risk-Management Systems The Customs administration should establish a risk-management system to identify potentially high-risk containers and automate that system. The system should include a mechanism for validating threat assessments and targeting decisions and identifying best practices Automated selectivity systems Customs administrations should develop automated systems based on international best practice that use risk management to identify cargo and container shipments that pose a potential risk to security and safety based on advance information and strategic intelligence. For containerized maritime cargo shipments, that ability should be applied uniformly before vessel loading Risk management Risk management is "the systematic application of management procedures and practices which provide Customs with the necessary information to address movements or consignments which present a risk. I/24. June 2005

27 4.3. WCO Global Information and Intelligence Strategy An effective risk-management regime has as an important component the collection of information, its processing and dissemination in support of Customs controls and operations. This intelligence function, coupled with Standardized Risk Assessments (SRAs), which produce risk indicators for Customs targeting and screening of goods and conveyances, is contained in the WCO Global Information and Intelligence Strategy References The WCO Risk-Management Guide, the WCO Global Information and Intelligence Strategy, WCO Standardized Risk Assessment (SRA) and General High-Risk Indicators are useful references for risk management (and assessment). 5. Standard 5 High-Risk Cargo or Container High-risk cargo and container shipments are those for which there is inadequate information to deem shipments as low-risk, that tactical intelligence indicates as highrisk, or that a risk-scoring assessment methodology based on security-related data elements identifies the shipment as high-risk. Selectivity, profiling and targeting Customs should use sophisticated methods to identify and target potentially high-risk cargo, including - but not limited to - advance electronic information about cargo shipments to and from a country before they depart or arrive; strategic intelligence; automated trade data; anomaly analysis; and the relative security of a trader s supply chain. For example, the Customs-Business Pillar certification and validation of point-of-origin security reduces the risk, and therefore, the targeting score. June 2005 I/25.

28 6. Standard 6 Advance Electronic Information The Customs administration should require advance electronic information on cargo and container shipments in time for adequate risk assessment to take place Need for computerization The advance electronic transmission of information to Customs requires the use of computerized Customs systems, including the use of electronic exchange of information at export and at import Kyoto Convention ICT Guidelines Standards 7.1, 6.9, 3.21 and 3.18 of the General Annex to the RKC require Customs to apply information and communication technologies (ICT) for Customs operations, including the use of e-commerce technologies. For this purpose, the WCO has prepared detailed Guidelines for the application of automation for Customs. These Kyoto ICT Guidelines should be referred to for the development of new, or enhancement of existing, Customs ICT systems. In addition, Customs administrations are recommended to refer to the WCO Customs Compendium on Customs Computerization Use of economic operators systems The ICT Guidelines also recommend the possibility to use economic operators commercial systems and to audit them to satisfy Customs requirements. In particular in the context of the Authorized Supply Chain, the possibility for Customs to have online access to the commercial systems of the parties involved, once any confidentiality or legal issues have been resolved, would provide enhanced access to authentic information and offer the possibility for far-reaching simplified procedures. Another example is Cargo Community Systems (CCS) where in ports or airports all parties involved in the transport chain have established an electronic system by which they exchange all relevant cargo and transport related data. Provided that these systems contain the necessary particulars for Customs purposes, Customs should consider participating in such systems and extracting the data required for their purposes Electronic data-exchange standards The Kyoto Convention ICT Guidelines recommend to Customs to offer more than one solution for the electronic exchange of information. While EDI using the international standard UN/EDIFACT is still one of the preferred interchange options, Customs should also look at other options such as XML. Depending on the risks involved, even the use of and telefax could provide a suitable solution. I/26. June 2005

29 6.5. WCO Data Model Economic operators required to submit Cargo and Goods declarations to Customs based on the data sets of the WCO Customs Data Model should use the electronic message specifications of the WCO Customs Data Model ICT Security The use of ICT in general and electronic exchange of information over open networks in particular requires a detailed ICT security strategy. ICT security therefore has to be seen as an integral part of any Customs supply chain security strategy. To arrive at an effective and efficient IT security strategy, Customs have to undertake risk assessment. The Kyoto ICT Guidelines outline ways in which a comprehensive ICT security strategy can ensure the availability, integrity and confidentiality of the information and of IT systems and the information they handle, including, for example, the avoidance of repudiation at origin or receipt. There are many ways to implement ICT security, for which purpose reference is made to the Kyoto ICT Guidelines Digital signatures One essential ICT security element for a supply chain security strategy is related to digital signatures. Digital signatures, or Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) arrangements, can play an important role in securing the electronic exchange of information. The integrated Customs control chain includes the possibility that traders can submit their declarations in advance to both the Customs administration at export and to the Customs administration at import. It would be beneficial if economic operators would also benefit from mutual recognition of digital certificates. This would allow the economic operator to sign all electronic messages to those Customs administrations having accepted to recognize this certificate. This crossborder recognition of digital certificates can help increase security but, at the same time, provide significant facilitation and simplification for the trader. For this purpose, Customs administrations are encouraged to apply the WCO Recommendation concerning the electronic transmission and authentication of Customs and other relevant regulatory information Capacity building Customs administrations requesting assistance in developing or acquiring the requisite automated systems will have to have the political will to implement the Framework Standards. 8 This Recommendation is pending Council adoption in June 2005 and will supersede CCC Recommendation TC2-384 of 16 June June 2005 I/27.

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